Does NBC Have Problem Areas in Its Fall Schedule? Insiders Are Concerned About Some of the New Shows

The consensus among industry insiders is that NBC may have a few trouble spots in its lineup for fall, Media Life reports, citing media buyers and planners. Even so, it appears the Peacock is in better shape heading into the new season than it has been for years.

Coming off its first season win in adults 18-49 in a decade, NBC is entering the 2014-15 season with an “uneven group of new shows” that could push the network below CBS in the demographic for the season, the story reports.

NBC came in third in a survey of media buyers and planners, who were asked which network has the strongest schedule this fall. CBS and ABC both came in ahead of NBC.

“The consensus seems to be that NBC’s schedule is neither strong nor weak, which in these days of falling ratings can be considered a minor vote of confidence,” the story notes.

The most promising new show appears to be “Constantine,” based on the comic book series. But that show will air on Friday, “and the baseline for success on Friday night is pretty low,” the article notes.

The least promising show, as singled out by the survey, is “Bad Judge,” starring "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" alumna Kate Walsh as a wild-living judge.

“The Mysteries of Laura” was also cited as a potential problem, with media buyers concerned about how well the show will combine its elements of drama and comedy. The show stars NBC veteran Debra Messing — an Emmy winner and five-time nominee for "Will & Grace," one of the last unqualified hits in NBC's comedy dynasty spanning the 1980s through the 2000s.